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DIY chalk paint try-outs

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I know, I’ve been telling you and telling you about the chalk paint recipes that I tried out. So here it is and I’ll just call it part one because I’m certainly not done yet.

Here is the story:
I used to not be a fan of chalk paint but then you start seeing it all over blogland, Pinterest and Primitive & Propper (LOL) and you start to wonder: “What is up with it and why do people like it so much?”

So I wanted to try it too. Especially since there are certain pieces of furniture that I couldn’t imagine with a lacquer or spray painted finish and when you have and Etsy store like myself, then I at least can try to have a little somethin’ somethin’ for everyone (it’s almost empty now though). For me that’s fun! Maybe it is because I have a split decorating personality. There are so many things I like and that I’m interested in and I can’t have them all in our tiny house. So it is fun to do it for other people.

I don’t know if you read along for my first chalk paint dresser makeover a couple of weeks ago, which I painted with CeCe Caldwell’s Destin Golf Green chalk paint (click HERE if you missed it). That started it all!

And then I also painted this dresser with the leftover paint and the hex sign knob details that I showed you last week (click HERE to read more about it):

The texture of the paint is incredible, very chalky and when you apply the wax, you can feel it being absorbed. Which, as a newbie is what you want, at least I think so… haha!
Then on Wednesday I explained to you why I wanted to try out my own chalk paint. I hate having to wait for stuff I purchase online. I’m the kind of person who wants to walk into a store, buy and walk out (especially when I have an idea in my head)…well unless it’s Christmas and I’m trying to get away from crazy crowds! And since we don’t have a chalk paint vendor in the area, I have to buy the chalk paint online and I hate waiting for it. Another reason is that I don’t like being restricted to a certain color paint selection.
And you know what else is great about chalk paint versus spray paint? Well, I would be able to paint inside during the winter time without spray residue and harmful fumes. MAJOR PLUS!!!
After all this thinking, I started to ask questions and browsed the internet.
My first stop, of course, was Cassie who has painted countless pieces of furniture with chalk paint already. I asked her if she ever tried chalk paint recipes and she told me that she tried out the “plaster of paris” recipe but found out that it is highly carcinogenic. I certainly didn’t want to try out that recipe after hearing that. I also did some google research to back this up and there are several links to back this up and also some links that say it isn’t harmful. Regardless, I don’t want to take the chance and I’d rather just try other recipes.
My friend Diane from “In My Own Style” has an entire awesome post about all her experiences with bought and DIYed chalk paint. You have to check it out.
I skipped the “Plaster of Paris” of course! LOL
But her post is awesome I have to say.
I moved on to the “non-sanded grout” recipe:
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 “Non-Sanded Grout” recipe:

1 cup of paint
2 tablespoons of Non-Sanded Grout
water
In a mixing container mix grout with water, adding a little bit at a time until you get a nice smooth consistency. Add more water as needed to break up the powder. Once the powder is mixed thoroughly with water, add the paint and stir well. (You should go to her blog by clicking HERE if you want to pin a nice graphic with the recipe on it)
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I tried it out on my dresser that I wrote about in my last post (click HERE to see more).

Diane writes about the fact that it dries fast. To me that is an understatement. It dries rapidly is more like it. I didn’t like it! And yes, I tried adding more water as I went but I just hate being rushed and slapping it on, I like taking my time. I honestly really didn’t care for it. I have a huge bag left of the non-sanded grout and who knows, I might try it again one day, but for now I have to say that I disliked it.
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So I tried the Calcium Carbonate Powder recipe, which is a dietary supplement and non-toxic, yay! Not bad price either at around $8-$11, right?
 
The pink latex paint was left over from my daughter’s room (It is called Hopeful by Behr).
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DIY Chalk Paint Recipe using Calcium Carbonate Powder:

Mix:
2 tablespoons of Calcium Carbonate Powder
1 tablespoons water
Mix well into one cup of latex paint.
Use 8 tablespoons of Calcium Carbonate Powder and 4 tablespoons of water 
if you want to mix it with one quart of latex paint.
(Once again you should go to Diane’s blog by clicking HERE
if you want to pin a nice graphic with the recipe on it)
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I really liked this recipe. It’s smooth, good to sand and the wax goes on great as well.

I use a brush and sponge like THIS and THIS to apply the wax.
And I love using THIS clear wax.
If you want it to be antiqued then use a wax like THIS!

And don’t forget to buff the wax at the end!

For the gold detail on the dresser I used Rub ‘n Buff that I thinned out with paint thinner and then brushed on.

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My overall comparison to the CeCe Caldwell paint is that if you like texture, then that’s the paint you should use. I actually really loved that about the paint.
The Calcium Carbonate chalk paint was so smooth and barely had any texture. It was perfect for the style of the pink dresser.
Last but not least (and I have to admit that I’m still a spray paint girl at heart….ah the smell…just kidding but I do love the finish), I’m on a mission to find out my own concoction. I want to know how to create that texture. The CCC paint dries very crumbly and not gooey and sticky like the latex paint. That’s what I want to try to find. I think the inner child is coming out. I’m remembering the days as a child when I used to glob buckets full of mud and clay to come up with my own pottery mix. Sigh! Memories, but I was never successful. It sure was fun though.
This will  hopefully be an ongoing series in finding my own chalk paint recipe concoction.

I hope you weren’t expecting a ground braking DIY recipe already because I don’t have it (yet, haha).

testing different chalk paint recipes

And if chalk paint isn’t your thing but you want a similar color to my dresser then check out THIS very similar shade of pink. It’s so pretty!

I’m wishing you a wonderful weekend and talk to you on Monday.
Tschüß und guten Tag.
(Youleeya)

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Comments

  3. I love post like this. The break down of the recipes is so helpful. I have never used chalk paint before and would love to try it out on a dresser or too. I have a store that sells it near by so I might check it out. Your dresser turned out fantastic and I really love the gold accents!

  6. love this Julia! 🙂 thank you so much for posting this, I’ve been wanting to try chalk paint but I’m afraid of moving away from spray paint! I would love to try this on a dresser we are using in our living room! 🙂
    wish you a fun weekend 🙂

  7. Thank you for sharing this! <3 the pink dresser too 🙂 I had no idea the plaster recipe was carcinogenic..and I recently did a desk for my daughter with that POP recipe. 🙁 Do you know if there is anything I can do to seal the paint? It turned out sooo nice too. Ugh. 🙁 Thanks!

  8. Calcium Carbonate huh? I’ll maybe have to give that a go some day. I’ve only used the baking soda recipe (mostly because that’s what I have on hand all the time). I can never get it quite as smooth as I want…and the taste that I get in my mouth when sanding is gross from inhaling the dust (usually too lazy to wear a mask!).

    • I was looking for a chalk paint recipe and found yours using Calcium Carbonate which was great since I am painting a changing station for my niece. I couldn’t locate it at any of the pharmacies but all 5 pharmacist said to get Tums and grind them up. 1 mini food chopper and 20 Tums later I had more than enough. It had a few small “lumps” that I pushed aside and what was left “melted” when mixed with water. Turned out creamy and went on smooth. It will take at least 3 coats but stayed creamy in lidded plastic container (I did put plastic wrap on top of paint to make sure the air in the container didn’t dry it out).

    • Hmmm, tums…interesting! Let me know how it turns out when you are all done. And if you don’t mind, I might share it with everyone else on the blog and try it myself 😉

  9. Great post! I’ve been thinking about trying the calcium carbonate. We sometimes use a paint sprayer..do you know if you can use it in a sprayer??!

    • Hi JoAnn, I wouldn’t use it in a paint sprayer, since it needs to be very thick and the paint in paint sprayers has to be on the thin side.

  10. I have felt the same way about chalk paint. I’m not really into the rustic country style but some pieces just can’t be painted any different.

  12. I purchased my first can of A.S.C.P. to use on my son’s bedroom furniture. I loved the results, but the price, not so much. Thanks for sharing a cheaper version.

  13. If you are worried about toxic ingredients, both the PofP and the Unsanded Grout contain silica, which can badly damage the lungs if you sand and don’t wear a respirator. It seems like the calcium carbonate would be a lot safer. I don’t think the CeCe brand has anything in it that you need to worry about. The ASCP paints don’t list ingredients, and it does have an odor, but I don’t know whether or not it is safe to sand it unprotected.

  16. Ahhh…pink and gold! Such a gorgeous combination! I have never used chalk paint before, but you have inspired me to consider it now…

  17. Ahhh…pink and gold! Such a gorgeous combination! I have never used chalk paint before, but you have inspired me to consider it now…

  21. Fantastico!!! I love it all, even the baby pink! What is the ‘wax’ you speak of?
    How do you ship these? I”m in love. Following!

    • Hi and I’m sorry but I haven’t played around with the recipe yet. Waiting for the long winter month to pass first. The grout recipe goes bad right away but the calcium carbonate one is able to stay good for a really long time.

  23. Hello! I featured your dresser in my monthly blog series, Get Your Color On!. Each month I select a color, provide tips on how to decorate with it, and feature other bloggers with their projects that relate to this color.

    This month’s post is all about pink, so I featured your dresser because I love how chic and soft the color is in the room. It’s a perfect combination of sweet and glamorous with the gold.

    Feel free to grab a featured button and check out my post at Get Your Color On! Pink. Thanks for sharing your wonderful creativity!

  29. What finish latex paint did you use on the pink dresser with the calcium carbonate recipe? Thanks!

  30. I personally have found cornstarch to be the perfect “chalk paint” additive! Love it and my friends who have used AS love it more than hers!

    • I actually used my standard Purdy brushed that you can find at any home improvement store

  32. Hi. I love your pink dresser. I like to use the cheapest flat white paint that walmart has. It is 8.99 per gallon at my walmart. It is ready made and i just have them shake it up for me. I use craft paint with it to make whatever color i want. It goes on smooth, and dries chalky. I sand it wherever i want it to look worn. Sometimes i use craft crackle in between the layers to get a cool look. When i’m all done i buff it with dry paper towels that act as a very fine grit sandpaper. No waxing.